Quality of life ticketing program moves closer to approval with City Council discussion

Mayor Joe Schember and his administration discussed the program with City Council on Thursday.

The council still has some more readings to do before they can vote. But a council member tells us this evening's meeting showed a promising sign.

Thursday, August 9th 2018, 11:47 PM EDT by Andrew Hyman

Updated:

Thursday, August 9th 2018, 11:47 PM EDT

The city's mission to crack down on unsightly properties to the next step Thursday night.

Mayor Schember’s administration discussed the quality of life ticketing program with city council members.

If passed, the city would give a formal warning to a violator for property issues like piles of garbage or uncut grass.

And if the problem was not taken care of in a specified amount of time, the violator would receive a fine.

City Councilman, Caz Kwitowski says he believes the program could work, but only if the council and the city stay on top of their enforcement.

“If the administration doesn't follow through, it'd just be another bag of ordinances that sit there." Kwitowski said

Some neighbors expressed concern over putting pressure on the elderly, or people who are disabled to keep their properties in shape.

"Somebody's gonna cut her grass, she's not gonna get a $25 ticket." Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, John Villa said

Kwitowski says there should not be any extra cost to the program. And would be on board with an on-the-spot way of ticketing a violator. Ideas include the use of iPads or small printing device. It would speed up the ticketing process, and cut down on the blight quicker.

"We're trying to get this city back where it was, and make it so that people are willing to live here again and move back in.” Kwitowski said “We're going to have to be very aggressive and very innovative on how we do that."

Kwitowski says if the motion is passed, he'd like for the city to explore the possibility of starting a small committee of neighborhood leaders to assist with people who may have some difficulty maintaining their yards.